Hot to Trott: Bairstow emergence of no concern to England’s Mr Reliable
ENGLAND batsman Jonathan Trott insists he doesn’t feel his place in the one-day side has been placed in jeopardy by the emergence of rising star Jonny Bairstow.
Trott, the International Cricket Council’s Player of the Year, has become a mainstay of the 50 over side and boasts a higher ODI batting average than the likes of Kevin Pietersen.
However, Trott’s conservative style means his place in the side is not as secure as the statistics suggest it should be, and, with Bairstow announcing himself on the international stage in such dramatic fashion last month, England’s selectors face a difficult decision ahead of tomorrow’s match against India in Hyderabad.
“It’s not a case of looking over your shoulder,” insisted Trott, who could well be forgiven for doing so after Bairstow hit a 53-ball century against Hyderabad CA XI on Tuesday.
“You can’t go very far forward if you’re looking over your shoulder the whole time. I don’t think that’s a very good mentality.”
Kevin Pietersen, who failed to make a significant contribution in either of the two warm-up fixtures, and Ian Bell, only recently recovered from a stomach upset, are two other high-profile names who could make way for Bairstow. But Trott believes team harmony will remain unaffected whichever way the selectors go.
“You don’t want to have a thing where people are worried and trying to look after their own places.
“You’ve got to go out there and play the attacking brand of cricket that is always expected of you whenever you pull on the England shirt or helmet.”